A New Safety Net for Stray Animals: NCAL’s Regional Partnership Takes Effect

Part of our Tails of Impact Series

North Country Animal League and Four Lamoille County Towns Announce Regional Partnership to Strengthen Stray Animal Services

North Country Animal League has joined with the Towns of Hyde Park, Morristown, Johnson, and Stowe on a new regional partnership designed to give stray dogs a safer, more humane path through the animal control process — and it officially got underway on Friday, July 17, following approval from the Morristown Development Review Board.

Why this partnership matters

Every town has a legal responsibility to care for stray animals within its borders, but not every town has the space, staff, or resources to do that well on its own. This new agreement changes that. NCAL will provide temporary housing and daily care for stray dogs during the required holding period, while each town continues to handle its own animal control responsibilities. The result: strays stay close to home, and they receive the same standard of care every animal at NCAL gets.

“Rather than each town trying to solve this challenge individually, we’ve come together to create a solution that benefits animals, municipalities, and the families we all serve,” said NCAL Executive Director Jacques Du Preez.

A first step toward something bigger

The partnership launches with a six-month pilot period, giving NCAL and the four towns a chance to see what’s working and refine what isn’t. This fall, a joint working committee — with representatives from NCAL and each municipality — will start meeting to look at longer-term needs: facility improvements, funding, and a sustainable regional model for stray housing going forward.

Hyde Park Town Administrator Alex Goddard sees it as the start of something bigger for Lamoille County. Regional challenges require regional solutions, and this agreement is an important first step toward creating a permanent regional solution for municipal stray animal services across Lamoille County.

Looking ahead

This partnership is about more than logistics — it’s a shared commitment from NCAL and our municipal partners to animal welfare, public safety, and smart stewardship of community resources. We’re proud to be part of building a long-term solution that puts the animals’ well-being first.

Media Contacts

North Country Animal League
Jacques Du Preez, Executive Director
802-888-5065
jacques@ncal.com